Mascne is a frankenword combining COVID masks and acne. Due to the COVID crisis, people everywhere are required to wear face masks. These face masks, on the other hand, collect heat and cause breakouts.
You may have noticed an increase in red pimples on the areas of your face that your mask covers, whether you get breakouts frequently or have nearly flawless skin. Acne might be extremely uncomfortable, but you shouldn’t stop wearing a mask because of it.
If you clean your face coverings and treat your skin, you should be able to keep it under control and prevent larger breakouts from occurring. Everyone’s skin is different, so test any new, potentially aggravating substances cautiously.
What Causes Mascne
There are numerous reasons for mascne, just like typical acne: not washing your mask often enough; using a harsh detergent, and irritation from the materials of your mask or how frequently you have to wear it.
Masks keep saliva and any other droplets—emitted from breathing, talking, coughing, or sneezing—from entering the air and transferring Covid-19 (or other illnesses). That’s what we want them to do, but they trap moisture and germs inside. The sweat of your skin is absorbed by the mask, and it provides a layer of moisture preventing evaporative dampness from escaping. As a result, acne-causing germs may flourish in an environment that is humid.
Acneiform eruptions, as they’re known by dermatologists, are just as unavoidable as acne for athletes. “Athletes who wear a helmet may develop acneiform breakouts like dirt, oil, and sweat are trapped in their pores, providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow,” explains board-certified dermatologist Meghan Feely.
Wearing a mask is intended to keep the virus from spreading, therefore if your mask has trapped any germs, you must wash it. Washing it in this instance also aids in the prevention of infection. On the other hand, some detergents may irritate your skin. To see whether that makes a difference, try using a mild cleanser without fragrance.
How to Prevent Mascne
Mascne treatment is though, however, we have collected some mascne tips that will help you fight it.
It is essential to emphasize that you should continue wearing a mask in public. However, try to minimize the amount of time in public, stay at home, and allow your skin to breathe.
Invest in a few face masks that you can swap out and wash regularly. If you’re going to use them for lengthy periods of time, you should ideally wash them after every use. If you’re not using a surgical or KN95 mask, 100 percent cotton masks are the way to go because they’re breathable and readily washed. Make sure your reusable mask follows CDC’s most up-to-date safety standards.
If you wear cosmetics, avoid applying them in the places that the mask will cover. (Isn’t now a good time to focus your attention on your winged eyeliner?!) Avoid over-exfoliating your skin and keep it clean and moisturized. People frequently believe they need to dry out pimples, but drying out your skin may actually cause new breakouts. Even if you have oily skin, it is critical to maintaining your skin barrier intact. Moisturized skin will prevent chafing and rashes.
Before putting on a mask, and after removing it, wash your face. Use mild foaming cleansers to clean oil efficiently. If you have acne-prone or greasy skin, use a face wash with salicylic acid to help remove the extra oil and dead skin, which can assist prevent clogged pores and breakouts.
Mascne Help: Products to Fight Mascne
If you are able, see a dermatologist or schedule a virtual consult with an aesthetician to discuss the products best suited for your skin. You may have to try a few things before you find the right treatment plan. These products may help reduce inflammation and shorten the life span of those annoying zits.
Avarelle Acne Pimple Patches
Acne Patches have revolutionized the game. To draw pus and oil to them, they use hydrocolloids (a dressing that may be found in some bandages). You might apply one at night and wake up with a smooth surface depending on the size and severity of the pimple. They’ll keep you from picking. There’s some good news, too: You may conceal them all over your face underneath a mask and no one will notice.
Additionally, these mascne patches are vegan and cruelty-free hydrocolloid, and you’ll appreciate their effectiveness in speeding the healing of your pimple by protecting it with an ultra-thin and transparent coating.
Image Skincare Intense Moisturizer
Drying out your face may cause more acne. Use a non-comedogenic hydrating moisturizer to keep your face hydrated. Image Skincare Vital C Hydrating Intense Moisturizer is a great option because it will hydrate your skin and give you the powerful anti-aging benefits of Vitamin C. The product is no ordinary hydrating moisturizer. It contains 12% Vitamin C, which helps to improve your skin’s texture, tone and reduces the signs of aging. Nourishing Hyaluronic Acid boosts elasticity while protecting against environmental stresses. The result is fresh, clear skin with a smoother appearance.
THAYERS Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Facial Toner
Toners aid in the removal of dirt and oils that your cleanser might miss, as well as provide skin balance and replenishment.
It contains natural Rose Water to soothe and refresh your skin. Witch Hazel needs no introduction, but did you know it’s a natural product? It has been used for centuries by the natives of New England to help restore and maintain their beautiful complexions.
All in All
Mascne is a real condition. It is a catch-all phrase that may refer to a variety of skin problems, including acne, folliculitis, rosacea, or perioral dermatitis (any inflammatory rash affecting the skin around the mouth that usually shows as red bumps and dry, scaly skin).
Unfortunately, when you wear your mask, the bacteria on your face are trapped atop your skin, resulting in an irritable delicate microbiome that doesn’t like extra germs. The better a mask is at preventing COVID transmission, the more detrimental it will be to acne.
However, note that COVID-19 is a dangerous strain and you should do your best to avoid it. Wearing a mask with an activated carbon filter prevents COVID transmission while allowing your skin to breathe. Your skin has pores that open and close with environmental changes like humidity and stress. Masks that contain disposable carbon filters can protect acne-prone skin from harmful airborne particles while helping the skin regulate its microbiome.
